Local police say the pre-dawn attack occurred near the major gas field at Sui town, which feeds gas to the southern port city of Karachi. No injuries were reported.

No one has claimed responsibility for the incident. Similar attacks in the past have been blamed on Baluch tribal militants who have repeatedly attacked energy facilities and security forces in the province. The militants have been trying to get a greater share of lease money generated by the region's natural resources.

Pakistan has deployed thousands of para-military troops in the region to crush the low-level insurgency.